Pictures: Thousands Attend March for Life on Costa Rica’s Capital

Thousands of Catholics marched through San José, the Costa Rican capital, in a pro life demonstration urging the president not to make abortion legal.

“Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 2271

Last Saturday, a march por la vida was organized by Wake Up Costa Rica, Democracy in Action, and the Central American University.

Beginning at 9am, thousands dressed in blue carrying anti-abortion signs demonstrated in the capital city. By 10:30am, they were settled in the Plaza de laDemocracia, a terrace outside the national museum that was built in 1989 to celebrate the centennial declaration of democracy in the country.

Carrying the slogan “signing is killing,” they implored President Carlos Quesada not to sign the “Technical Norm for Non-Punishable Abortion” that would decriminalize “therapeutic abortion” in public and private clinics.

In March, Quesada said he intended to sign the regulation once it was drafted by the Department of Health, but not official date has been announced yet.

Prior to the march for life, the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica released a statement saying they “thank the different organizations that, with great dedication and zeal for promoting the Culture of Life, organized this event,” and implored citizens to attend to “defend this valuable fundamental and human right.”

Democracy in Action said the march brought together thousands of people who marched peacefully “and “ended in success.” In 2020, they believe there will be “a lot more” marches and people attending.